BP has almost stopped the flow of oil, will finish a permanent relief well in a couple months

With
over 5,000 barrels of oil spilling into the Gulf of Mexico every day
after the oil well leak on April 20, eight senators are contemplating
pressing criminal and civil charges against BP. In the mean time, BP
is scrambling to find solutions to what could be considered one of
the worst
oil spills in U.S. history.

BP
Plc., Transocean Ltd., and Halliburton Co. attended two separate
hearings in Washington D.C. on May 11 and another on May 12. Congress
questioned the events that led to the leak and what actions BP is
taking to repair the well that killed 11 people, put
many fisherman out
of work, and caused the spread of oil to surrounding waters
threatening wildlife (which prompted the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Association to increase the ban of fishing area in the
Gulf from seven percent to 19 percent).

"We've
seen the most catastrophic possibilities and it seems to me like
they're flailing around going from one thing to another not really
knowing what in fact is necessary to stop this, short of that relief
well that will just take way too long," said Sen. Robert
Menendez (D-NJ).

BP
first tried to funnel the oil to ships using a 98-tonne "top
hat" dome on the seabed floor, and due to large hydrate
volumes, the dome clogged. More recently, a smaller, one
mile long funnel was set in its place was will collect some
of the oil approximately 5,000 feet below the surface. A heavy mud
mixture will be pumped into the well's blowout preventer in
preparation for cement to seal the well permanently. In addition, as
Menendez stated above, BP plans to drill a relief well that could
take as long as 80 days to construct.

BP's
latest efforts include the riser insertion tube tool (RITT)
containment system, and according to BP's official website, it was
"put into place in the end of the leaking riser" and "is
operational." This tool is collecting 2,000
barrels a day, and produced oil is being stored in ships above
surface. The senators question BP's "proven technology and
equipment" during this time.

"While
I always hope for the best, this is looking like really
out-of-control bad," said Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL).

While
BP's new developments will help clear some of the damage, new
problems arise with problems concerning where the oil
will travel to next. Considering BP's history with
oil-related accidents, these eight senators will surely ride the
company's coattails through the rest of this investigation and
certainly through a criminal trial.

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quote: BP has almost stopped the flow of oil, will finish a permanent relief well in a couple months

Not true:

quote: This tool is collecting 2,000 barrels a day, and produced oil is being stored in ships above surface.

If the insertion tube is only collecting 2,000 barrels/day from the 5,000 barrel/day leak, this leaves 3,000 barrels/day or 60% still leaking into the Gulf.

quote: "While I always hope for the best, this is looking like really out-of-control bad," said Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL).

I must agree. This is going to get really ugly and could contaminate not only the entire Caribbean, but also the eastern USA coast.

quote: Considering BP's history with oil-related accidents, these eight senators will surely ride the company's coattails through the rest of this investigation and certainly through a criminal trial.

Again, I must agree. I have seen the reports. BP was pushing Transocean and this caused critical safety equipment to fail. BP already had a poor safety history. Remember, the Bush Administration had to pressure BP to fix the Alaskan pipeline because it was on the verge of leaking. The Bush Administration forced BP to shut down the Alaskan pipeline to fix it. The Bush Administration, unlike BP, knew if the Alaskan pipeline broke open and started a major spill, it would've been a political disaster and would've affected all new oil drilling everywhere, especially in Alaska. BP has always had a myopic view on everything except profits. I think the CEO of BP should be brought up on criminal charges in the USA.

The USA needs new sources of oil. We cannot function without it. Before this BP disaster, offshore drilling was becoming technically and politically feasible. BP has single-handedly brought all new offshore drilling to a screeching halt.

I see you believe the old stereo typing... The illegal Mexican of 20 years ago worked hard and they learned English to get by and lived the best they could as a "normal" US citizen - even though they were not a citizen. Today, the illegal does not want to learn English, does not work hard, and has no interest in join in the melting pot. It's just sad that politicians do not understand the second type of person I described is not good for the USA. Really no illegal is good for the USA,(or good for any other country), but I will be more understand to someone who is working hard to learn and merge into our society and not forcing our society to learn their ways.

Meh, I've grew up and still live in San Diego; and while things have change with more Mexicans everywhere it's not all too bad. Sure there are those many that are just like you said but there are those that do work hard to support and enlighten their kids future. I can't altogether blame them for wanting a better life here when they are trying and working so hard; not when I come to work everyday and have to deal with my two idiotic coworkers that do diddly squat and gets paid well for it. Makes it that much harder to support sending a hard working person off I tell you.